25 Best Dresses to Wear to a Winter Wedding as a Guest

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Getting an invite to a loved one's wedding is always exciting. It's wonderful to be a part of someone's special day and help celebrate their love. But deciding what to wear to a wedding can be tricky. You want to be true to your personal style, while keeping in mind the wedding's dress code and of course, the season.

If you've got a winter wedding on the calendar, good news: We've rounded up the best winter wedding guest dresses to shop right now. From Amazon dresses under $50 to splurge-worthy designer pieces, these styles are on trend and include options for all body types and budgets.

What makes for a great winter wedding dress?

Ashley Full, a personal stylist and co-founder of plus-size clothing line AMOUR781 shared some winter wedding guest trends with Woman's Day. "Sequins are perfect for winter weddings," she explained. "With sequins, you can let your dress do the talking and you don’t have to spend a lot of time thinking about your accessories or your hair and makeup when the dress is going to speak volumes."

She also recommends velvet for winter weddings: "There is something really rich, warm and elegant about velvet and who doesn’t want to feel warm at a winter wedding?" Besides sequins and velvet, Full also shared some insights on other trends and things to keep in mind when shopping for a winter wedding guest dress. Keep scrolling to the end of this article to read all of her tips.

If you're planning ahead for a whole lot of weddings and special events in the year ahead, also be sure to check out our recommendations for the best fall wedding guest dresses, flattering summer dresses, and Christmas party outfit ideas.

Velvet Dress

"It’s great to put on a rich velvet for evening, winter weddings and it photographs beautifully," shares Full. This glamorous and affordable dress is perfect for any winter wedding. It comes in a variety of jewel-toned colors that are perfect for the colder months. The long-sleeved velvet design ensures that you stay comfortably warm while still looking sophisticated.

"Enchant My Love" V-Neck Long Sleeve Maxi Dress

If your personal style tends towards the romantic and ethereal, we've got just the dress for you. This long-sleeved gauzy dress has a gathered empire waist and a flirty side slit that makes it a fun and tasteful choice for any wedding. It's available in emerald and dark purple, though not all sizes are available in all colors.

Aine Party Dress

If your happy place is rifling through vintage stores looking for 1950s dresses, you'll want to add this to your cart ASAP. It has plenty of vintage-inspired detailing, including an A-line skirt, cap sleeves, and an adorable waist bow. It's available in 47 colors, including this deep burgundy that's perfect for a winter wedding.

"How Much I Care" Dark Green Off-the-Shoulder Midi Dress

If you're on the hunt for an elegant winter wedding guest dress, look no further. This stunning off-the-shoulder dress is made with a stretchy ponte knit material that hugs curves beautifully and will have you feeling like you stepped straight off the red carpet.

Cindy Sequin Strapless Dress

"Another great thing about sequins is you can get any color and it will look great and appropriate at a winter wedding," shares Full. This strapless sequin column dress is a choice that's perfect for a NYE wedding. It make you the star of the dance floor (second only to the bride and groom, of course). It's also wrinkle-resistant, making it a worthy choice if you need to travel to the wedding.

Emma Smocked Tulle Dress

"My personal favorite [trend] that I absolutely adore is the tulle skirt," shared Full. "They are a great way to channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw and have a leveled up ballet look. You can have so much fun with tulle."

This gorgeous tulle gown from Baltic Born comes in 17 different colors and can easily be dressed up or down depending on the dress code.

Kayla Halter Gown

This elegant floor-length gown is ideal for any black-tie weddings you're attending this season. It's understated and chic on its own, but can also be made more festive with a pair of sparkly earrings or eye-catching heels.

Giselle Pleated One-Shoulder Dress

Think of how much fun it will be to twirl around the dance floor in this dress! The pleated, one-shoulder design will make anyone look like a Greek goddess. This midi dress is also available in green and black and comes in petite, regular and tall sizing.

Treccia Hammered Satin Dress

Available in three wintery shades, this satin dress is sleek without being tight. The adjustable waist-tie and artful pleats add some visual intrigue that make it wedding-ready. This is another versatile dress that could double as your holiday party outfit or even a work outfit if you pair it with opaque tights.

"Brand New You" Silver Sequin Bodycon Mini Dress

If you're invited to a New Year's Eve wedding, it's a chance to wear something glitzy, and this eye-catching dress certainly fits the bill. It's an absolute showstopper of a dress at a relatively affordable price. Plus, you don't need to worry about jewelry since this dress is plenty sparkly all on its own.

Beaded Long Sleeve Gown

This splurge-worthy gown can only be described as "jaw-dropping." Between the intricate beading, glamorous long-sleeve design and defined waist, this dress is a piece you'll be glad you invested in. It's the perfect choice for a black-tie wedding. If you're the mother of the bride or groom, this dress is a popular choice, according to multiple reviewers on Nordstrom.

Snow Stopper Ribbed Sequin Mini Sweater Dress

If the wedding you're attending has a casual dress code, this sweater dress is perfect. The sequins around the neckline make it feel festive enough for a celebration of any kind. You can also dress it up with a pair of heels or fancy flats and some eye-catching jewelry.

Hollywood Woman Dusty Blue Satin Midi Dress

This vintage-inspired dress will make you look like you just stepped out of a classic Hollywood movie. It comes in a range of beautiful colors, but we'd say this icy blue color is truly perfect for a winter-wonderland themed wedding.

Hot Pink Feather Jamie Dress

How often do you get the chance to wear a bright pink dress with feathered cuffs? This party-ready frock from Tuckernuck is a festive option for any winter wedding. One reviewer shared, "This is perfect for holiday parties, weddings, NYE, and any other time you want to dance around in some feathers. Pair it with some fun earrings and heels and you are set to go!" It's also available in black and yellow, though not all sizes are available in all colors.

x REVOLVE Brianza Jumpsuit

Who says you can't wear a chic jumpsuit to a wedding? This one is perfect for winter events, since it's made of crushed velvet material that will keep you warm. We especially love the side ruching and high-waisted design that's flattering for a wide variety of body types.

Carolina Sweater Dress

Another laid-back option for a casual wedding, this fit-and-flare dress is incredibly versatile. The square neckline and Milano-knit stitch add some structure that makes this feel more formal than your average sweater dress. Pair it with your go-to black heels and favorite jewelry for a timeless and elegant look.

Crushed Velvet Deep V-Neck Midi Dress

This luxe crushed velvet dress is about to be the MVP of your closet. The classic silhouette is always in style, making this a piece you can wear to winter weddings and holiday parties for years to come. It's also available in a wide range of sizes, from XS to 4XL.

Uma Velvet Maxi Dress

It's hard to imagine a more perfect winter wedding guest dress than this flowy velvet floor-length one. The moody jade-and-bronze color scheme is ideal for cooler weather. The flutter sleeves provide a little bit of coverage, while the waist tie and slit make it fun and flattering.

Executive Jumpsuit

Despite the name, this jumpsuit isn't just for work. It also makes for an incredibly chic winter wedding guest outfit, especially if you pair it with a velvet blazer and some festive earrings. The square neckline, wide straps and tailored fit mean it's comfortable to wear all night long. And unlike many formal dresses, this is a piece that's easy to work into your everyday wardrobe.

Odetta Metallic Maxi Dress

"The next trend I am seeing is metallics," shared Full. "Metallics have been trending throughout the year and a metallic dress or jumpsuit is perfect for an afternoon wedding that will head into the evening." This one from Banana Republic is the perfect way to try out the trend at any winter wedding you're attending this season.

Maternity Party Dress

This dress is a great pick if you're going to be pregnant at any weddings or formal events this season. The stretchy material and side ruching will compliment your bump perfectly. "I wore this dress to a wedding and might wear it again to my baby shower!" shared one reviewer. "It's so beautiful, comfy, and stretchy! I love it! It feels like a high quality dress. I received lots of compliments at the wedding."

Side-Belt Blazer Mini Dress

This blazer dress is perfect if you love a menswear-inspired silhouette that still feels feminine. The color makes it festive for any winter wedding. You could also wear this with a pair of tights if you're worried about being cold or want a little more coverage.

Women's Sleeveless Cocktail Party Dress

'Tis the season for gorgeous velvet wedding dresses, and this one is certainly worth considering. It comes in 12 gorgeous colors and features a waist tie and front slit. It's made from a stretchy polyester and spandex material that hugs your curves and keeps you comfortable all night long.

100% Washable Silk Slip Dress

"You just can never go wrong with a black slip dress," says Full. "This is one item that will always be trendy and just effortlessly elegant. If you are trying to save money because of the holidays, you probably already have this number in your closet. And bonus: you can simply add a new necklace and cute shoes to build a totally different look than the last time you wore it." We love this one from Quince, which is made with 100% mulberry silk in a satin finish. Best of all, it's washable so you don't have to take it to the dry cleaners.

Black Shimmer Selena Knit Dress

If you like the idea of a shimmery dress but don't want to dress like a disco ball, we've got just the one for you. This dress from Tuckernuck has a bit of subtle sparkle woven in, along with a front-tie closure and elegant boat neckline.

What to look for when shopping for a winter wedding guest dress

✔️ Sleeve length. "You want to dress appropriately for the winter season, and we are seeing a lot of long-sleeve options which are so beautiful and elegant, but if you’re a dance floor guru you may want to consider ¾ length or short sleeves, so you don’t get too warm," shares Full.

✔️ Material. "Velvets and sequins are my top material picks for winter weddings," says Full. "They are elegant and easy and just look the best this time of year." You'll also want to consider what materials are most comfortable for you to wear for several hours, especially if you'll be dancing or moving around a lot. Lastly, if you're traveling to attend a winter wedding, you may want to bring a dress or jumpsuit that doesn't wrinkle easily.

✔️ Length. You'll want to think about the length of your dress as well. If you're wearing a mini dress, you might consider adding tights underneath if you're worried about getting cold. There are also plenty of chic midi dresses and floor-length dresses suitable for the occasion. The dress code will be your best indicator of how long your dress should be. If the wedding is black-tie or white-tie, you'll want to opt for a floor-length dress. If the invite says cocktail attire, you can wear a mini, midi, or maxi dress, but a ballgown might be overkill. If you're uncertain about how long your dress should be, ask the bride or groom ahead of time.

✔️ Colors. Barring white, there's no "wrong" color for a winter wedding guest dress in most cultures. However, you may want to ask the couple what their wedding colors are so that you don't show up accidentally matching the bridal party. Some of the common colors for winter wedding guest dresses include jewel tones: think emerald green, ruby red, and sapphire blue. Of course, you can never go wrong with a chic black dress.

FAQ

• What's best for a woman to wear to a winter wedding?

We recommend wearing a comfortable but dressy outfit that's appropriate for the setting and dress code. Some trends that Full recommends include tulle dresses, sequined dresses, velvet dresses, metallic dresses, and black slip dresses. It's also appropriate to wear a jumpsuit or suit to a winter wedding, especially if you pair it with heels and festive accessories.

Another point Full emphasized is to think about your outerwear ahead of time. "Please don’t pair your beautiful dress with a cardigan or your date’s jacket — plan ahead! A winter wedding will likely be chilly at some point so be sure to grab a faux fur shrug or even a leather moto jacket for something a bit edgier."

• What should you avoid when it comes to winter wedding guest dresses?

"You never want to upstage the bride or be in competition with the wedding party," says Full. That's why it's worth asking what the bridal party or other guests of honor (like the parents of the bride and groom) are wearing.

She added, "One style I recommend staying away from entirely is floral. No matter what the color tones are, it is always going to read the wrong season."

• What kind of shoes to wear to winter wedding?

This will be highly dependent on where the wedding takes place and the dress code. Assuming much of the event takes place indoors, it's probably acceptable to wear your go-to heels or a pair of festive flats. However, if it's an outdoor event, you may want to opt for a pair of boots to keep warm. If there will be snow or ice on the ground, you can wear your snow boots or other shoes that provide enough traction to keep you from slipping. You can always bring a change of shoes for the reception!

You Might Also Like

• Oprah’s Favorite Things Of 2022 Is Here—Gift These 20 Amazing Finds This Year

• 40 Best Sentimental Gift Ideas for Loved Ones

• Jennifer Aniston‘s Secret to Glowy Skin On-Screen